Zero Dose Learning Hub
Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, has launched the Zero Dose Learning Hub(ZDLH). It is a new mechanism using data to improve how to successfully identify and reach “zero-dose” children and their communities. Zero-dose children are those who have yet to receive a single dose of routine vaccine.
The goal of the ZDLH collaboration is to complement existing and ongoing monitoring efforts. It builds a deeper understanding of the complex factors affecting efforts to reach zero-dose children.
Funded and coordinated by Gavi, the ZDLH consists of national learning hubs in Bangladesh, Mali, Nigeria, and Uganda. It also includes a global hub led by the JSI Research and Training Institute (JSI). In addition, the Indian Institute of Health Management (IIHMR) and the Geneva Learning Foundation (TGLF) support this initiative.
Gavi’s efforts to vaccinate zero-dose children
“Children in zero-dose settings face significant and complex systemic barriers that affect their access to basic services, including immunization,” said Thabani Maphosa, Executive Director, Country Programme Delivery, World Vaccine and Immunization Alliance.
“Since the launch of our Alliance, Gavi has taken a data-driven approach to addressing immunization challenges. This new investment will help inform and improve immunization programs by using tailored approaches and addressing gender-related barriers for the most vulnerable children in urban slums, rural and hard-to-reach areas, and fragile and conflict-affected settings.
Today’s new partnership is another important step forward in our mission to ensure that no child misses out on life-saving vaccines, no matter where they live.”
From 2015 to 2019, the number of zero-dose children in GAV-implementing countries decreased by 14%. However, during the pandemic, this number increased. And in 2021, there were 12.5 million zero-dose children in 57 low-income countries supported by Gavi.
In response, during the 2021-2025 strategy period, Gavi and its alliance partners are focusing on reaching unimmunized children and marginalized communities by harnessing the power of innovation and new partnerships.
The goal is to reduce the number of unimmunized children in Gavi-eligible countries by 25% by 2025. Today’s announcement of ZLDH is the latest initiative in this effort. This innovative initiative will provide up to $100 million to two partner consortia to identify and immunize unimmunized children living in displaced communities and fragile and conflict-affected areas.
Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance
This organization is the largest international cooperation mechanism that contributed to improving overall health of humanity by providing vaccination to children in low-income countries.
Gavi coordinated the COVAX Facility immediately after the coronavirus outbreak in the year 2020 to provide fair and equitable access to Covid-19 vaccines in every nation across the globe, including developing countries where it is difficult to proactively secure vaccines.
The COVAX initiative to reduce vaccine disparity between high-and low-income countries aims to accelerate the development, production, and equitable access to vaccines. It has greatly contributed to saving lives in low-income countries by delivering over 1 billion doses of vaccine to 144 countries as of January 2022.
The COVAX initiative to reduce vaccine disparity between high-and low-income countries aims to accelerate the development, production, and equitable access to vaccines. It has greatly contributed to saving lives in low-income countries by delivering over 1 billion doses of vaccine to 144 countries as of January 2022.
Learn more:
Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance LAUREATES – Sunhak Peace Prize
Zero-Dose Learning Hub Homepage | Zero-Dose Learning Hub (gavi.org)
Sunhak Peace Prize Sunhak Peace Prize
Read full article Gavi launches new learning initiative to address the final barriers to immunisation equity – World | ReliefWeb
